Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande has lauded the work being done by Voluntary Service Overseas and Horn of Africa Development Initiative (HODI) in addressing challenges affecting communities in the county.
Speaking at a hotel in Marsabit town during a project progress review meeting attended by county and national government officials, Kamande says the issues being tackled by the organizations are similar to those being addressed by both the county and national governments.
The meeting aimed to enhance collaboration, avoid duplication and support the realization of the project’s goals.
He says VSO and HODI are complementing government efforts in tackling drought, climate change and adaptation, peace and security, as well as supporting community livelihoods.
The commissioner notes that prolonged drought, the effects of climate change and cross-border insecurity continue to affect communities in Marsabit County.
He has urged other development partners to come on board and support government efforts in addressing the challenges facing communities and strengthening resilience in the county.
Meanwhile, the VSO Resilient Border Project Implementation Lead, Dr. Telesqen Alemu Tilahun, says the project seeks to advance climate adaptation, peace, livelihoods and preparedness among cross-border communities in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Dr. Tilahun says the project is being implemented in Sololo and, Moyale in Kenya, and Miyo and Moyale in Ethiopia.
He says the project started in November last year and is expected to run until November 2028, with funding of 2.8 million Euros from International Partnership Austria.
He says the project seeks to build community resilience against drought and floods through climate adaptation, improved water and natural resources management, and strengthened governance systems in cross-border communities.
Dr. Telesqen says the project will also improve livelihoods for pastoralists and small businesses through green entrepreneurship, stronger cross-border markets and improved coordination systems.
He says the project will promote social cohesion and peace through strengthened community and cross-border conflict resolution mechanisms.
The project will also strengthen crisis preparedness and response through improved risk monitoring and anticipatory action.
Dr. Tilahun says interventions in Moyale and Sololo include climate-smart agriculture, livestock restocking, pastureland rehabilitation, fodder storage and water harvesting.
Other interventions include alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, poultry and small businesses, strengthening early warning systems and climate information services, kitchen gardening irrigation support and the provision of drought-tolerant seeds.
He says the project progress has been shared with county and national government officials to ensure collaboration, avoid duplication and support the realization of the project’s goals.
Speaking separately, Marsabit County Executive Committee Member for Culture, Gender and Social Services, Dr. Armara Galwab, says VSO and HODI have previously supported pastoral communities in Marsabit County.
Dr. Galwab says the current cross-border resilience project has a climate change component, noting that climate change is a major challenge affecting many parts of the country. While adding that the peace component is equally important as the country approaches the General Election because political issues could affect communities.
The CECM says cattle rustling and cross-border insecurity remain common challenges in the Moyale and Sololo areas of Marsabit County.
He says the project will help address insecurity and other challenges facing communities in the region.
Galwab lauded VSO and HODI for complementing the work of the national and county governments, noting that county and national government staff are involved in the implementation of the project.
He further says the project has identified the vulnerable among communities, adding that interventions that cannot be implemented by the organizations can be taken up by other partners or incorporated into the county’s County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) annual development plans.
The official says the Marsabit County Government welcomes the project and appreciated VSO, HODI and other partners implementing development activities in the county adding sustained collaboration between communities, government and development partners is key to building a more resilient and peaceful Marsabit, particularly in the face of climate change, drought and cross-border insecurity.
By Anthony Melly
